40 Facts About Will Cain

Early Life and Education

Will Cain's journey began in Texas, where he was born and raised. His early years and education laid the foundation for his diverse career.

1. 01Full Name and Birthdate: Charles Williams Cain was born on March 28, 1975.
2. 02Early Life: Cain was raised in Sherman, Texas, near Dallas.
3. 03Education: He attended Pepperdine University, where he played one year on the water polo team and graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications in 1997.
4. 04Water Polo Experience: Cain was a walk-on player for the Pepperdine water polo team and scored his only goal in 1996 against UC Santa Barbara.
5. 05Law School: Cain completed his J.D. degree at the University of Texas School of Law in 2000.

Career Beginnings

After law school, Cain's career took some interesting turns, from ranch work to community newspapers.

6. 06Post-Law School Career: After law school, Cain moved to a ranch in Montana, where he worked as a ranch hand while trying to write a book.
7. 07Family Tragedy: Following the death of his father in 2001, Cain returned to the Dallas area to help care for his younger brother.
8. 08Community Newspapers: While in Texas, Cain bought two community newspapers and started others before selling them to Stephens Media, publisher of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
9. 09Quince Media: Around 2006, Cain founded Quince Media, which published a magazine, website, and expos about quinceañeras.

Transition to Media

Cain's media career began with CNN and later flourished at ESPN.

10. 10CNN Experience: Cain previously worked as a fill-in host for CNN's In the Arena, co-hosting the program with E. D. Hill from February 28, 2011, to August 5, 2011.
11. 11ESPN Career: Cain began working at ESPN in 2015 as a radio personality, hosting Will and Kate with Kate Fagan and serving as a fill-in for other ESPN Radio anchors.
12. 12ESPN Contributions: He was a frequent contributor to Outside the Lines and eventually became a fill-in host and frequent guest on First Take.
13. 13The Ryen Russillo Show: Cain was named co-host of The Ryen Russillo Show, but Russillo soon left the show.
14. 14The Will Cain Show: Cain began hosting his own show, The Will Cain Show, on ESPN Radio in 2018.
15. 15ESPN Profile: The Washington Post observed about Cain's ESPN presence in 2018: "Cain's growing profile comes amid consistent charges of liberal bias at ESPN for its coverage of social and political issues in sports."
16. 16Valuable Balance: By 2018, Michael McCarthy of Sporting News argued that Cain "provides a valuable balance to ESPN" and noted he had become a “virtual third debate partner” with Stephen A. Smith, Max Kellerman, and Molly Qerim on First Take.

Move to Fox News

Cain's career took another significant turn when he joined Fox News.

17. 17Departure from ESPN: In 2020, Cain left ESPN to move to Fox News as co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend (along with Jedediah Bila and Pete Hegseth).
18. 18Final ESPN Appearance: Cain's last appearance on First Take was on June 24, 2020, and his final episode of The Will Cain Show aired two days later.
19. 19Fox News Debut: His first appearance on Fox & Friends Weekend was in August 2020.
20. 20The Will Cain Podcast: On April 5, 2021, Cain launched The Will Cain Podcast, combining his commentary in news, politics, and sports.

Hosting Roles and Achievements

Cain's versatility and engaging personality have made him a regular on various Fox News programs.

21. 21Fill-in Hosting Roles: In addition to hosting Fox & Friends Weekend, Cain serves as a regular fill-in host on programs such as The Five and Jesse Watters Primetime.
22. 22Interim Host of Fox News Tonight: In May 2023, Cain served as an interim host of Fox News Tonight following the firing of Tucker Carlson.
23. 23Permanent Host Announcement: On January 13, 2025, Fox News announced that Cain would become the permanent host of the network's 4 p.m. hour following the departure of long-time anchor Neil Cavuto.
24. 24Debut Show Ratings: The premiere of The Will Cain Show marked the biggest daytime debut in Fox News history, averaging 3.5 million total viewers with 451,000 in the advertiser-coveted demographic of viewers ages 25-54.
25. 25Lead-in Program Success: The debut of The Will Cain Show also led to The Five reaching nearly 6 million total viewers on Tuesday, with 762,000 in the key demo.

Style and Influence

Cain's unique style and approach have resonated with audiences, making him a standout in cable news.

26. 26Cain’s Upbeat Personality: Fox News switched up its daytime lineup this week, introducing a new look and fresh face to the network’s 4 p.m. slot. Cain’s upbeat personality and poignant commentary are a hit with audiences.
27. 27Podcast Influence: Cain’s show will be broadcast from Texas, a point he emphasized at the end of Tuesday’s show. He highlighted his podcast’s influence on the new show’s format, which includes graphics reminiscent of his podcast.
28. 28Authenticity Promise: Cain promised viewers that he will be real, authentic, and seek the truth in his new role.
29. 29Cavuto’s Departure: The departure of Neil Cavuto in December created a rare opening for the network to refresh the 4 p.m. slot, which Fox News capitalized on by picking Cain for the role.
30. 30Cable News Ratings: By picking Cain for the 4 p.m. hour, Fox News is hoping to build on its stunning success, even as it loses other on-air hosts and contributors to high-profile jobs in the new Trump administration.

Future Prospects

Cain's successful debut and ongoing influence suggest a bright future in cable news.

31. 31Cain’s Successful Broadcasting Career: Based on Cain’s successful broadcasting career and his debut Tuesday, Fox News has picked a winner to replace the legendary Cavuto, who was a Fox News original dating back to the network’s launch in October 1996.
32. 32Leadership Skills: Cain’s leadership skills are evident in his ability to transition from news into opinion, balancing both roles effectively in his new show.
33. 33Professional yet Fun: Cain aims to be very professional but also have fun while hosting The Will Cain Show, ensuring an engaging experience for his audience.
34. 34Honest Opinion: Cain will offer the audience his honest opinion, unvarnished and based on the news, while also presenting reports to help viewers make informed decisions.
35. 35Key Demographic Dominance: The audience for The Will Cain Show accounted for 68% of all cable news viewers and 73% of cable news viewers in the key demographic of ages 25-54, marking a significant achievement for Fox News.

Cain's Unique Approach

Cain's approach to broadcasting and his Texas roots add a unique flavor to his shows.

36. 36Fox News Lineup Refresh: The introduction of The Will Cain Show is part of a broader lineup refresh at Fox News, aimed at maintaining its dominance in cable news ratings.
37. 37Texas Broadcast Location: Cain emphasized that he is grateful to be able to broadcast from America’s heartland, Texas, which he believes adds a unique perspective to his show.
38. 38Podcast Influence on Show Format: The format of The Will Cain Show is influenced by Cain’s podcast, featuring graphics and a style reminiscent of his podcasting experience.
39. 39Cain’s Versatility: Cain’s versatility in handling both news and opinion roles makes him an ideal candidate for the 4 p.m. slot at Fox News, where he will serve as the lead-in program for The Five.
40. 40Future of Cable News: With his debut show setting high standards, Will Cain is poised to revolutionize how cable news is done, bringing a fresh and engaging perspective to the medium.

Will Cain's Impact on Media

Will Cain's journey through media is nothing short of impressive. From his early days in Texas to his current role at Fox News, he's shown versatility and resilience. Cain's ability to transition from law to journalism, then to sports, and finally to political commentary, highlights his adaptability. His time at ESPN, especially with The Will Cain Show, showcased his knack for engaging audiences. Moving to Fox News, he didn't miss a beat, quickly becoming a favorite on Fox & Friends Weekend and launching The Will Cain Podcast. His recent appointment as the permanent host of Fox News' 4 p.m. hour cements his place in the media landscape. Cain's commitment to authenticity and his unique perspective, broadcasting from Texas, resonate with viewers. As he continues to shape cable news, Cain's influence is undeniable. His career is a testament to hard work, adaptability, and staying true to oneself.